A Forgotten Civil Rights Battle — Public Libraries
Think of the flashpoints from the civil rights movement, and buses or lunch counters or voting booths come to mind. One area that’s received less attention is public libraries.
In April 1963, the same spring as the Birmingham Children’s Marches, army veteran and student Shelly Millender walked into the main Birmingham library. Only whites were allowed inside. Millender, who is black, was the spokesman for a group of Miles College students attempting a “read-in” at the downtown branch.
“If I could put my life on the line for the country, certainly I shouldn’t be barred from the library,” says Millender.
Once inside, the group was told they had to go to a colored branch. So they sat down. But instead of a confrontation, the students were left alone.
“I was surprised that I didn’t get the rejection that I anticipated,” says Millender.
The group returned a few days later, but again, no clash with authorities. That’s because the library was segregated by custom and not by law, according to Wayne Wiegand, the author of a book about integrating Southern libraries. He says within days the library board met to figure out what to do.
“The board decided, well, we don’t want the library to be a site for public demonstrations, but let’s just open up the library to all races,” says Wiegand. “And that’s exactly what they did.”
Wiegand says this bit of civil rights history is often forgotten because it was mostly driven by students who needed library. The media tended to follow major civil rights figures who, for the most part, weren’t involved in “read-ins.” Library integrations were peaceful, without bombings and dogs and fire hoses.
Shelly Millender says the library integration was well-earned, but he doesn’t call it a victory.
“I felt like I was entitled to it anyway, so I didn’t think they were doing me any great favor,” says Millender.
He says it was absurd to be banned for his skin color in the first place.
Wayne Wiegand will speak about his book “The Desegregation of Public Libraries in the Jim Crow South: Civil Rights and Local Activism” Tuesday evening at Birmingham’s Central Library.
The Birmingham Public Library is a program sponsor of WBHM. The news and business departments operate separately.
Mississippi’s tech scene is in a catch-22. How can it move forward?
Mississippi ranks near the bottom for the size of its tech industry. But despite its shortcomings, some believe the state is not far from its own tech boom.
Jason Reynolds’ favorite thing is being alone
Jason Reynolds writes stories that meet kids where they're at, as full, complex people. He talks with Rachel about the value of being a crier, and his restless approach to living life to its fullest.
Flight carrying 242 people bound for London has crashed in Ahmedabad, India
An Air India flight with 242 passengers and crew that was bound for London crashed in India's northwestern city of Ahmedabad shortly after departure.
London-bound Air India flight with more than 240 aboard crashes in Ahmedabad, India
A Boeing 787 crashed into a residential area in Ahmedabad city five minutes after taking off. The flight was bound for London's Gatwick Airport. There were 232 passengers and 12 crew members onboard.
Public media funding up in the air as House prepares to vote on claw backs
public-media-funding-up-in-the-air-as-house-prepares-to-vote-on-claw-backs
She served the American people for 35 years. Now her retirement income is on the line
As part of Trump's "Big, Beautiful Bill," the House voted to end a retirement supplement aimed at helping federal employees who retire before they're 62.